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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus VG-145 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
Olympus VG-145
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and both are offered by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the VG-145 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and VG-145 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM2 was released 23 months after the VG-145 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VG-145 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-PM2 scores vs the VG-145 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus VG-145

 E-PM2 VG-145 
LaunchedMay 2013July 2011Newer by 23 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-145 over the Olympus E-PM2

 VG-145 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus VG-145

 E-PM2 VG-145 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Olympus VG-145 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PM2 vs the VG-145.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and VG-145 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The pic below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and VG-145.

To sum up, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-PM2 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-PM2 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Olympus VG-145
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography information
Olympus VG-145 Street photography information
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
features focus by touch
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus VG-145 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
26
good MP (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (160 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography advice
Olympus VG-145 Travel photography advice
66
features focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
62
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery (160 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
Olympus VG-145 Landscape photography details
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have Timelapse function
36
decently wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery (160 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging details
Olympus VG-145 Vlogging details
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
28
decently wide (26mm)
has face detection focus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-145 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus VG-145
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus VG-145
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus VG-145
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2013-05-21 2011-07-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 4.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 pounds) 120 grams (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 160 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $448 $0